Become an Art Tour Pursuer

Do you love art and are you looking for something unique and intriguing to do in Downtown Kamloops? Well then look no further! The Back Alleys of Downtown Kamloops are absolutely riddled with murals that bring the talent, culture and individuality of Kamloops to life.
However, to traverse these alleys and get a feel for the history and meaning of each mural can be a daunting task to take on alone. Thankfully, the Downtown Kamloops CAP Team is providing the weekly opportunity every Wednesday at 7:00pm (by donation), starting at our office at 340 Victoria Street, for anyone interested in participating in an engaging and lively tour, showcasing our lovely murals.
The meaning, style, and overall diversity of the murals we have to offer can easily fill an evening with a fantastic experience. For example, the mural on 347 Victoria Street behind Castles and Cottages by artist Kelly Wright (2013) is one of my personal favourites. It depicts a stunning seaside inspired fantasy visual, with sun-kissed water and a mystical mermaid. It is easy to understand why the artist became inspired and began to paint even more than originally planned. Additionally, the mural on 247 Victoria Street behind The Golden Buddha and Kennell’s Shoes brings to life a House in a Shoe, accompanied by a Bodhi Tree in a lovely way to combat against graffiti that initially covered that area. To truly appreciate the artwork, you should come see them in person.
Our tours cover a fair bit of ground within the downtown area. Beginning at 340 Victoria Street, we will loop throughout the murals that decorate the alleys of the 100, 200, 300 and 400 block. During the entire tour, any questions will be happily addressed by the CAP Team hosts.
Near the end of the tour, when all the art murals have been thoroughly enjoyed and all your questions regarding them have been answered, we will give a little bit of history and background on a few notable sights around Downtown Kamloops. These sights include the history surrounding churches, statues, and other buildings around the area. A superb example of this would be the fact that the building that is now home to the economic development branch of the city used to be a bakery and cigar factory before it was repurposed.
But wait, there’s more! Not only are we offering this invaluable opportunity to enjoy the beautiful murals of Downtown Kamloops, but the entire event is by donation, so there is no actual admission fee for the event. Hope to see you there!
This article was written by Matthew Gropp, Customer Care and Patrol (CAP) Team Member. Reach us at 250-572-3008/3009 or the Customer Care & Info Centre at 250-572-3017. Email capteam@downtownkamloops.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram (Downtownkamloops) and Twitter (@downtownkamloops) too!